MEDIA RELEASE: Climate change, public transport and cycling

Date: 27 May 2007

Peter Campbell has been preselected by the Greens to run against Petro Georgiou again for the seat of Kooyong. Campbell has previously stood in Kooyong in both the 2001 and 2004 Federal elections with the Green vote rising dramatically on both occasions.

“I am proud to run again for the Greens in Kooyong at a time that is vitally important for our future. I make a commitment to Kooyong residents that, if elected, I will vote in parliament for real and effective targets for dealing with climate change” Mr Campbell said.

“The science and economic impacts of climate change are now agreed, what we need now is urgent and effective measures to bring down our carbon emissions.” said Mr Campbell.

“Many people in the community are seriously concerned about climate change, the drought and living sustainably. I think these will be among the key issues for the upcoming election this year.” said Mr Campbell.

“It is most unfortunate that the Howard Government has refused to set targets for reducing carbon emissions, has only recently acknowledged climate change is real and is only supporting the coal industry rather than renewable energy.” Mr Campbell said.

“Labor's 2050 carbon emission targets are not much better. We need to introduce a target of reducing Australia’s greenhouse emissions to 30% below 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below by 2050.” said Mr Campbell.

Kooyong residents are also concerned about our inadequate public tranport with trains overcrowded and late and trams travelling at 15km due to our roads being choked by cars. I will work to ensure Federal funds are provided for improving our public transport. Giving people the option of reducing their car trips is also climate friendly.” Mr Campbell said.

“Cycling more often is also a great way we can reduce carbon emissions and get healthy, but we have a chronic shortage of funds for cycle trails and routes in Kooyong and across the country. I will address this issue as a priority” Mr Campbell said.

For more information and comment please contact Peter Campbell 0409 417 504

-ends-

Authorised by Peter Campbell, 377 Little Bourke St Melbourne 3000
Phone: 0419 417 504 email: kooyong@greens.org.au
www.greens.org.au